Friday 9 March 2012

Are we mad or what?

Today turned out to be another beautiful day and with Jenny and Robin expecting visitors Geoff, Pauline, Derek and I set off to see some sights of Dunedin. (the Gaelic name for Edinburgh)

IMG_6000Ok, what’s your guess? There was nothing to say what these were but we assume they are teeth commemorating the dentistry school in Dunedin.

Yes we can see why Dunedin was so named after Edinburgh as the similarities are quite unique.  The beautiful old buildings reminded us of both of Edinburgh and Glasgow back in Scotland.

IMG_6012The Dunedin Anglican Cathedral

We set off for the peninsular driving along the top of the hills looking down on to the harbour.  We came across the sign to Larnach Castle but with the advertised prices on the gates, we just turned around and drove back out again.

IMG_6013The Dunedin Council Chambers built of Oamaru Sandstone.

Our next stop was Taiaroa Head with the Royal Albatrosses. The information centre at the peninsular is very well done but once again our pockets were not deep enough for the entrance fee of $50 each adult.  Are these people out pricing themselves for the average New Zealander, let alone the tourists?

We stopped for a picnic at a harbour side rest area trying to keep out of the wind before travelling back into the city. Geoff drove us past the really photogenic railway station which we hope to get photos of tomorrow, and then followed the tour  bus route they took yesterday.

IMG_6002

Then we arrived at Baldwin Street which holds the world record for the steepest street in the world. Climbing a vertical height of 47.22 metres with an average gradient of 1 in 3.41, whereas in the steepest section the gradient is 1 in 2.86.

IMG_6005Geoff and Pauline on the way up.

Here we were, two of us with heart problems, one hip replacement 10 years ago and one booked in a few weeks, and one asthmatic, hence the blog title. We never intended climbing to the top but we all managed along with several much younger foreign tourists who also struggled.  But we made it.

IMG_6008Looking downhill.IMG_6019Just to show that yes we achieved it.

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